Audit finds problems with Hopedale Housing Authority

Wednesday

Mar 12, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By Zachary ComeauDaily News Staff

HOPEDALE - According to a report released by the office of State Auditor Suzanne Bump,†auditors found "a series of management deficiencies" with the Hopedale Housing Authority.The audit, which was conducted from February to April 2013, found expired contracts for the executive director and fee accountant, out-of-date policies and procedures, inaccurate†accounting, and improper procurement of construction services.Christopher Thompson, of the state auditor's office, said the audit was routine and is conducted every three years.Katherine Consigli, the executive director who has been working without a contract since 2012, said her position isnít required to be under contract.Although her part-time salary, roughly $36,000, is budgeted for, Consigli said she knows of other executive directors on housing authorities that are not under contract."Without contracts, the Authority cannot be certain the obligations of the involved parties are clearly stated and agreed upon," the audit report said.Consigli said the fee accountant, Joseph Regan, who has also been working without a contract since 2011, "has had difficulties the last couple of years" and hasnít completed quarterly or balance statements on time."Iím not going to reward someone thatís not doing what theyíre supposed to do on time," she said.Consigli said contracts for both her position and Reganís position will be voted on at the Housing Authorityís next meeting on April 14.The report also cites "inaccurate accounting," which Consigli attributed to Regan, whom she said didnít write off the price of a roof, which was purchased a few years ago after a roof partially collapsed.Regan, she said, has since corrected the inaccuracies.A call to Regan for comment was not returned.The audit report also found that the authorityís policies and procedures were out of date,†with some going†back to 2003."This is a small housing authority,"†Consigli said of the agency that operates 80 one-bedroom units for low-income elderly and†disabled residents.Consigli said the agencyís policies are current with the state Department of Housing and Community Development."Itís not something in my opinion that we have to look at every day and change it word for word," she said.The audit also reported an "improper procurement of construction services."According to Consigli, 40 exterior doors needed to be changed in the Griffen-Dennet Apartments, so the agency solicited three quotes for construction of new doors. Since the project was quoted to be under $25,000, the service didnít have to go out to bid.But during installation, the construction company said door closures also had to be replaced, which brought the total to about $28,000, Consigli said."I explained to the board at the time that we were going to probably be cited," she said. "All other projects do go out to bid. Itís not something we take lightly."The report also noted that the authority could not provide supporting documentation for a balance of more than $56,000 in its furniture, equipment and machinery account, which, as a result, means the number cannot be relied upon.The audit report said the authority has been cooperative after receiving the auditor's†report."The authority has responded positively to all findings and made progress in implementing most of Auditor Bumpís recommendations and has begun implementing changes," the report said.Zachary Comeau can be reached at 508-634-7556 and zcomeau@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZComeau_MDN.